Adventures in UAS: Experiences of a UAS Operator Presented by: Paul Beckwith, PE, CCM, LEED AP bd+c Navigator CS, LLC, President
Paul Beckwith, PE, CCM, LEED AP bd+c BA in Architectural Engineering from Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Maryland Certified Construction Manager, Professional Engineer and LEED Professional 20 year career in the U.S. Navy Founded Navigator CS, LLC in 2006 as a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), SWaM Certified 2
Presentation Overview Why UAS? FAA Requirements of users, obtaining FAA exemption and operation Implementation and utilization Sample project 3
Why UAS? Who we are and what we do Inspections: essential for progress monitoring, Quality Control, public safety, put inspectors lives at risk Plus GIS mapping, Surveys, Ortho mosaic point cloud, NDVI multi spectral and other uses Solution: unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) commonly known as drones 4
Requirements for Users of UAS Public/Government entities Obtain Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) Civil/Non Government entities flying for fun/recreation Think Radio Control Aircraft Follow safety guidelines Civil/Non Government entities flying for business or commercial profit FAA exemption via Section 333 Register aircraft FAA COA 5
Obtaining FAA Exemption via Section 333 Review 14 CFR Identify sections that cannot be met due to the nature of the UAS Prepare and file petition seeking exemption from identified sections Then wait FAA received 1,125 petitions in 2014 and about 6,500 petitions by November 10, 2015 2,256 petitions granted as of November 10, 2015 6
Surprise!!!! Exemption and COA are very restrictive!!! UAS weight <55 lbs Licensed pilot and Visual Observer (VO) Only daytime flights Maintain Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) at all times during flight Max. altitude: 400 ft; 200 ft with standard COA No flying within 5 NM of airports with control towers (less for other airports) No flying in NOTAM restricted areas, National Parks, Military and Federal Facilities & more 7
More Restrictions and Requirements Obtain permission from property owner and owner(s) of adjacent property within 500 ft of flight path Permission of participants Initiate avoidance maneuvers Stop flight if there are safety risks No flying over persons not be operated less than 500 ft below or less than 2,000 feet horizontally from a cloud Visual and unassisted verbal communication between PIC and VO 8
Exemption and COA are Very Restrictive Northern VA 2015 Restrictions in Arcmap You can only fly in the green space! 9
Area around Oatlands, VA Oatlands 10
Requirement for pilot and operator/observer 11
Developing the Technical Capability Select and purchase UAS and components Obtain liability insurance Learn to fly and to operate the camera Develop processes, procedures, forms, agreements, waivers, checklists Train pilot, visual observer, camera operator Process aerial images Develop project report 12
Reporting requirements Log all flights: Date, pilot, location (city/name, longitude, latitude), type of activity, start/end times, damage, equipment malfunction, lost link events File NOTAM for all flights File monthly report with FAA, even if there were no flights Report any incident, accident, or flight operation that transgresses the lateral or vertical boundaries of the operational area of the COA to the FAA's UAS Integration Office within 24 hours. Report accidents to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) 13
Lessons Learned Understand customer s expected outcomes Challenge: meet project objectives within FAA restrictions and UAS limitations, within time and cost constraints Big administrative process UAS is not a toy, but a serious engineering tool 14
Sample Project: working with Esri and Icaros Objective: develop GIS model and software tools Location: Oatlands Historic Plantation, Leesburg, VA Flights: multiple flights some with camera at nadir others at oblique Outcome: Orthographically correct photo mosaic with accurate GIS data and 3 D model of mansion Plus: Great stills and video 15
Sample Data: 3cm GSD ortho mosaic Esri Project Video 16
Questions? 17